Treatment of tunneling wounds using metronidazole-containing compositions

Abstract

A method of treating tunneling wounds comprising administering a topical composition containing metronidazole into a passageway of the tunneling wound. One advantage of the composition is that topical administration of metronidazole results in a primarily local effect, and thus, side effects observed from systemic administration are avoided.

1 . A method of treating tunneling wounds comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a topical composition into a passageway of a tunneling wound of a subject, wherein said topical composition comprises from about 5% to 25% of metronidazole or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising inserting a tube or catheter into a wound edge opening of the passageway of the tunneling wound, wherein the topical composition is introduced into the tunneling wound via the tube or catheter. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the topical composition is introduced into the tunneling wound until the passageway has been substantially filled with topical composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the tube or catheter is slowly withdrawn from the tunneling wound as topical composition is introduced to the tunneling wound. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition is administered once, twice, three, or more times per day. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein no surgical operations were performed at least 7 days, at least 14 days, at least 21 days, or at least 28 days prior to introduction of the topical composition to the passageway. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier is non-aqueous. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metronidazole concentration is about 10 wt %, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-aqueous carrier comprises at least one hydrocarbon compound. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one hydrocarbon compound comprises white petrolatum (USP). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said the topical composition is in the form of an ointment, lotion, gel, foam or cream. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition has a fluffy texture. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metronidazole is the sole active agent. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition further comprises an additional therapeutic agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition has a viscosity that facilitates passage through the tube or catheter while ensuring that the topical composition does not easily flow out of the tunneling wound after introduction. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition is substantially devoid of at least one of collagen, gelatin, Hepar sulphuris calcareum or other similar profiled  Calcarea  or Sulphur salt or acid, Lachesis muta or other remedy with a similar profile, Mercurius Solubilis or similar mercury containing remedy, Silica or other silica containing compounds, ciprofloxin, methylcellulose, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, rifamycin and derivatives thereof, oxazolidinone, stem cells, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the topical composition is not a glue and will not set or harden at some time subsequent to introduction into the passageway of the tunneling wound.